System and method for selectively utilizing memory available in a redundant host in a cluster for virtual machines

ABSTRACT

Techniques for selectively utilizing memory available in a redundant host system of a cluster are described. In one embodiment, a cluster of host systems, with at least one redundant host system, with each host system having a plurality of virtual machines with associated virtual machine (VM) reservation memory is provided. A portion of a data store is used to store a base file, the base file accessed by all the plurality of virtual machines. A portion of the memory available in the redundant host system is assigned as spare VM reservation memory. A copy of the base file is selectively stored in the spare VM reservation memory for access by all the plurality of virtual machines.

BACKGROUND

Computer virtualization is a technique that involves encapsulating arepresentation of a physical computing machine platform into a virtualmachine (VM) that is executed under the control of virtualizationsoftware running on hardware computing platforms (also referred toherein as “hosts” or “servers”). A group of hardware computing platformsmay be organized as a cluster to provide hardware resources, such asmemory, central processing units (CPUs) and so on, for virtual machines.

For virtual machines running in a group of hardware computing platform(for example, as a cluster), one or more redundant hardware computingplatforms may be provided as a redundant host, available for selectiveuse, for example, as a spare host (for example, to provide a highavailability (HA) cluster). Although the redundant host will be live oractive in the cluster, the redundant host will be awaiting a triggerevent, to be utilized to host one or more virtual machines. As anexample, the trigger event may be a failure, network isolation orimproper operation of one or more of hosts in the cluster. When theredundant host is not configured as a host for virtual machines,resources of the redundant host, for example, memory resources may beunderutilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cluster illustrating a plurality of hostcomputing systems with a redundant host computing system, according toan example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing portions of the cluster illustratingselective allocation of memory available in the redundant host computingsystem, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a virtual machine accessing aduplicate base virtual machine disk (VMDK) file during a read operation,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the virtual machine accessing theduplicate base VMDK file and a base VMDK file during a write operation,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram for selectively assigning memoryavailable in a redundant host computing system, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example physical computing systemincluding a memory management module, according to an exampleembodiment.

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present subject matter in anyway.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein provide enhanced computer-based andnetwork-based methods, techniques, and systems for selectively utilizingmemory available in a redundant host in a cluster with a plurality ofhosts with virtual machines. In the following detailed description ofthe embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way ofillustration specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by theappended claims.

For virtual machines running in a group of hardware computing platform(for example, as a cluster), one or more redundant hardware computingplatforms may be provided as a redundant host, available for selectiveuse, for example, as a spare host. Although the redundant host will belive or active in the cluster, the redundant host will be awaiting atrigger event, to be utilized as a host for one or more virtualmachines. As an example, the trigger event may be a failure, networkisolation, access, failure to access shared storage or improperoperation of one or more of hosts in the cluster. When the redundanthost is not configured as a host for virtual machines, resources of theredundant host, for example, memory resources may be underutilized.

As an example, memory resources that are reserved for allocation toindividual virtual machines may not be used until the redundant host isconfigured as a host running a plurality of virtual machines. In someembodiments, memory resources available in a host may provide betterperformance than memory resource available external to the host, forexample, data stores available over a network. Better performance may beavailable for one or more reasons, including a higher speed of memory,higher bus speeds, faster computing power, faster physical and logicalnetwork links, faster physical and logical storage links and the like.

The proposed technique utilizes memory resources reserved for allocationto individual virtual machines in a redundant host for selective use bythe virtual machines. When a trigger event, for example, a failure of ahost system occurs, selective use by the virtual machines is terminatedand the reserved memory resources are utilized to transfer the virtualmachines running on the failed host system.

System Overview and Examples of Operation

FIG. 1 is block diagram 100 of cluster 102 illustrating redundant hostcomputing system 106C having memory reserved for allocation toindividual virtual machines 110C, according to an example embodiment.Redundant host computing system 106C may sometimes be referred to asspare host computing system 106C or failover host computing system 106C.Memory reserved for allocation to individual virtual machines 110C inredundant host computing system 106C may be sometimes referred to asspare virtual machine (VM) reservation 110C or spare VM reservationmemory 110C.

Particularly, FIG. 1 illustrates cluster 102 communicative withmanagement server 104 and data store 114. In the example shown in FIG.1, cluster 102 is described using two host computing systems 106A-B andredundant host computing system 106C, however, any number of hostcomputing systems and any number of redundant host computing systems canbe configured in cluster 102. As shown in FIG. 1, each of memories108A-B includes a part of memory for host computing system requirements112A-B and a part of memory for VM reservations 110A-B. Further,redundant host computing system 106C includes memory 108C, whichincludes a part of memory for host computing system requirement 112C anda part of memory as spare VM reservation 110C. VM reservations 110A-Brepresent memory that is collectively reserved for all virtual machinesexecuting on each host computing system. Host computing systemrequirements 112A-C represent memory that is used by other hostfunctions, such as memory used by a virtualization software layer (i.e.,a hypervisor).

In the example shown in FIG. 1, each of memories 108A-C has a capacityof 64 GB. Out of 64 GB in each host computing system 106A-B, 4 GB isassigned for host computing system requirements 112A-B and 60 GB isassigned for VM reservations 110A-B. Further, out of 64 GB in redundanthost computing system 106C, 4 GB is assigned for host computing systemrequirement 112C and 60 GB is available for spare VM reservation 110C.

Upon occurrence of a trigger event, it may be necessary to repurposeredundant host computing system 106C as a host computing system. As anexample, a trigger event may indicate host computing system 106B isoperationally unstable. Management server 104 monitors cluster 102 forany trigger event indicating a failed host. For example, managementserver 104 periodically communicates with high availability (HA) agent118 running in each of host computing systems 106A-106C to monitorstatus of host computing systems 106A-C. If a a trigger event is sensedby management server 104 indicating a potential failure or diminishedoperation of a host system, management server 104 initiates operationsto repurpose redundant host system 106C as a host system providingvirtual machines.

For example, upon such a trigger event, all virtual machines running onhost computing system 106B are transferred over to redundant hostcomputing system 106C. For example, management server 104 mayorchestrate transfer of all virtual machines running on host computingsystem 106B over to redundant host computing system 106C. For example,spare VM reservation 110C may be utilized to transition the virtualmachines running on host computing system 106B. Upon transfer of thevirtual machines running on host computing system 106B to redundant hostcomputing system 106C, redundant host computing system 106C will becomeone of the host computing systems in cluster 102 providing virtualmachines. The management server 104 may in one example, balance the loadon host computing systems 106A-C that are part of cluster 102. Hostcomputing system 106B may then be acted upon to remedy any errors orfaults that resulted in generating the trigger event.

Data store 114 may be accessible by each of host computing systems106A-B and redundant host computing system 106C. Data store 114 may beoperatively coupled to cluster 102 by means of one or more physical andlogical links. In some embodiments, data store 114 may be a sharedstorage device, accessible to multiple clusters of a system. Portions ofdata store 114 may be assigned for use by cluster 102. In someembodiments, portions of data store 114 assigned to cluster 102 may beaccessible to host computing systems 106A-C in cluster 102. In someembodiments, portions of data store 114 may be assigned for use by thevirtual machines running on various host computing systems. For example,portion of data store 114 may be designated as VM shared storage 114A,accessible by the virtual machines running on host computing systems incluster 102, for example host computing systems 106A-B and redundanthost computing system 106C.

As an example, one or more files may be stored in VM shared storage 114Afor access by the virtual machines running on host computing systems106A-B. In some embodiments, the files stored in VM shared storage 114Amay be read only files. In some embodiments, the files stored in VMshared storage 114A may be read-write files. As one skilled in the artappreciates, various portions of data store 114 referred to herein maybe physical portions or logical portions. Further, data store 114 may bespread amongst a plurality of physical storage devices.

Further as shown in FIG. 1, management server 104 includes memorymanagement module 116. Management server 104 monitors host computingsystems for any trigger events. Memory management module 116 monitorsvirtual machines (e.g., running on host computing systems 106A-B) incluster 102 for any storage needs and assigns storage as necessary. Forexample, memory management module 116 may assign portions of data store114 for use by one or more host computing systems 106A-B and redundanthost computing system 106C. For example, memory management module 116may assign VM shared storage 114A for use by the virtual machinesrunning on host computing systems 106A-B. Memory management module 116also determines memory available for spare VM reservation 110C inredundant host computing system 106C.

In one embodiment, memory management module 116 may selectively assignmemory available for spare VM reservation 110C as an alternate to VMshared storage 114A. For example, spare VM reservation 110C may also beused to store one or more files stored in VM shared storage 114A. Eachvirtual machine running on host computing systems 106A-B may beselectively configured to access spare VM reservation 110C as a primarysource to retrieve these one or more files. Each virtual machine runningon host computing systems 106A-B may also be configured to access VMshared storage 114A to retrieve one or more files, if the virtualmachines are unable to retrieve them from spare VM reservation 110C.

In an exemplary implementation, memory available for spare VMreservation 110C is assigned as an alternate to VM shared storage 114-A,the spare VM reservation 110C can be accessed remotely by the virtualmachines running on host computing systems 106A-B using a remote directmemory access (RDMA)-enabled network connection, which is explained indetail in FIG. 2. For example, RDMA-enabled network connection is atechnique by which remote memory (e.g., memory of redundant hostcomputing system 106C) can be included in the local address space (e.g.,of host computing systems 106A-B) via a network interface card (NIC). Insome embodiments, a host bus interconnect that couples host computingsystems 106A, 106B and 106C may be used to access spare VM reservation110C in redundant host computing system 106C. As one skilled in the artappreciates, a host bus interconnect may be implemented over a separatephysical link between host computing systems 106A, 106B and 106C.

FIG. 2 is block diagram 200 showing portions of cluster 102 illustratingselective allocation of memory available for spare VM reservation 110Cto store a file for access by all virtual machines, according to anexample embodiment. Particularly, FIG. 2 illustrates host computingsystem 106A running virtual machines 210A and 210B, designated as VM1and VM2, respectively, for convenience. Host computing system 106B isrunning two virtual machines 212A and 212B, designated as VM3 and VM4,respectively. File delta VMDK 214A associated with virtual machine VM1is also stored in VM reservation 110A. Similarly, files delta VMDK 214B,216A and 216B are associated with virtual machines VM2, VM3 and VM4respectively. Each one of delta VMDK files 214A, 214B, 216A and 216B arelinked to another file (base VMDK 218) stored in VM shared storage 114A.

For example, an address or a pointer to a location of base VMDK 218 maybe maintained in each virtual machines VM1-VM4 so as to access file baseVMDK 218, as needed. In one embodiment, memory management module 116 mayconfigure and initialize a pointer in each of virtual machines VM1-VM4,indicating location of the file base VMDK 218 in data store 114. As anexample, based on the pointer stored in virtual machine VM1, virtualmachine VM1 may access file base VMDK 218 over link 220A. Similarly,virtual machines VM2-VM4 may access file base VMDK 218 over links 220B,222A and 222B, respectively. As one skilled in the art appreciates,links 220A, 220B, 222A and 222B may be logical links that permit accessto file base VMDK 218 over a physical link, using one or morecommunication and storage protocols.

In this exemplary configuration, file base VMDK 218 is commonly sharedby virtual machines VM1-VM4. However, virtual machine VM1 may use filedelta VMDK 214A in combination with file base VMDK 218. Virtual machineVM2 may use file delta VMDK 214B in combination with file base VMDK 218and the like. As one skilled in the art appreciates, such aconfiguration may permit a single copy of file base VMDK 218 to beshared by multiple virtual machines. In some embodiments, file base VMDK218 may generally be a read only file which may be rarely modifiedduring the operation of cluster 102. In some embodiments, file deltaVMDK may represent portions of a file that may be specific to aparticular virtual machine or portions of a file that may be frequentlymodified. For example, file base VMDK may be an executable file of anapplication and file delta VMDK may contain specific configurationinformation for the application, based on specific virtual machineexecuting the application.

According to an example embodiment of this disclosure, a copy of filebase VMDK 218 is maintained in spare VM reservation 110C of redundanthost computing system 106C, as duplicate base VMDK 218A file. Fileduplicate base VMDK 218A is accessible by virtual machines VM1-VM4, overa link. For example, an address or a pointer to a location of duplicatebase VMDK 218A may be maintained in each virtual machine VM1-VM4 so asto access file duplicate base VMDK 218A, as needed. In one embodiment,memory management module 116 may configure and initialize a pointer ineach virtual machine VM1-VM4, indicating location of file duplicate baseVMDK 218A in spare VM reservation 110C.

As an example, based on the pointer stored in virtual machine VM1,virtual machine VM1 may access file duplicate base VMDK 218A over link224A. Similarly, virtual machines VM2-VM4 may access file duplicate baseVMDK 218A over links 224B, 226A and 226B, respectively. As one skilledin the art appreciates, links 224A, 224B, 226A and 226B may be logicallinks that permit access to file base VMDK 218 over a physical link,using one or more communication and storage protocols.

In some embodiments, virtual machines VM1-VM4 may access file duplicatebase VMDK 218A stored in redundant host system 106C faster than filebase VMDK 218 stored in data store 114. This may be due to one or moreof hardware configuration, software configuration, storage or networkprotocol advantages in accessing spare VM reservation 110C in redundanthost system 106C as compared to accessing file base VMDK 218 stored indata store 114. In some embodiments, RDMA-enabled network connection maybe utilized to access file duplicate base VMDK 218A. In someembodiments, file duplicate base VMDK 218A may be accessed over a hostbus interconnect that couples host computing systems 106A, 106B and106C. In some embodiments, file duplicate base VMDK 218A may be storedin spare VM reservation 110C in a thin disk format. As one skilled inthe art appreciates, data stored in a thin disk format take less spacethan a thick disk format. Thin disk format can be used based onavailability of resources on failover host.

In some embodiments, each virtual machine VM1-VM4 is configured toaccess duplicate base VMDK 218A, instead of base VMDK 218 stored in datastore 114. For example, memory management module 116 may set a link tothe location of duplicate base VMDK 218A as a primary link to obtainfile base VMDK 218. In some embodiments, memory management module 116may set a link to the location of base VMDK 218 as a secondary link toobtain file base VMDK 218. For example, if a virtual machine is unableto timely retrieve duplicate base VMDK 218A file, the virtual machinemay use the secondary link to access file base VMDK 218 stored in datastore 114.

In yet another embodiment, if redundant host computing system 106C needsto be configured to host virtual machines, for example, upon a triggerevent requiring the transfer of virtual machines running on one of hostcomputing system 106A or 106B, memory management module 116 may set thelink to location of base VMDK 218 as the primary link and remove thelink to location of duplicate base VMDK 218A.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, an exemplary read andwrite operation will be described. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show virtualmachine VM1 with associated file delta VMDK 214A, base VMDK 218 andduplicate base VMDK 218A. Virtual machine VM1 is configured to accessbase VMDK 218 over link 220A and access duplicate base VMDK 218A overlink 224A. In this example, link 224A to duplicate base VMDK 218-A isset as the primary link and the link 220A to base VMDK 218 is set as thesecondary link.

Now referring to FIG. 3, during a read operation, virtual machine VM1will access duplicate base VMDK 218A over link 224A (shown by solidline). Link 220A to base VMDK 218 is shown in dotted line, to indicateits status as a secondary link. In one example, the secondary link isused if there are any problems in accessing duplicate base VMDK 218Aover link 224A.

Now referring to FIG. 4, during a write operation, virtual machine VM1will access both duplicate base VMDK 218A over link 224A and base VMDK218 over link 220A to make modifications to both duplicate base VMDK218A and base VMDK 218 (for example, shown by solid lines of links 224Aand 220A). By modifying both base VMDK 218A and duplicate base VMDK218A, a mirror copy of base VMDK 218 is maintained in spare VMreservation 110C.

Example embodiments described herein provide applications, tools, datastructures and other support to implement memory management module 116or similar logic to be used to selectively use spare VM reservation in aredundant host system to store files stored in a data store, for accessby virtual machines. Other embodiments of the described techniques maybe used for other purposes or in other contexts. For example, althoughdescribed embodiments operate with respect to system or platform virtualmachines (e.g., as managed by a hypervisor or virtual machine monitor),the techniques may be applicable with respect to process virtualmachines (e.g., the Java virtual machine) or process scheduling at theoperating system level. Virtual servers may also be governed bysimilarly selective resource allocation methods, includingconsiderations such as what user groups or numbers of users are using agiven virtual server and in what context.

Numerous specific details are set forth herein, such as data formats andcode sequences, and the like, in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the described techniques. The embodiments describedalso can be practiced without some of the specific details describedherein, or with other specific details, such as changes with respect tothe ordering of the logic, different logic, different architectures, orthe like. Thus, the scope of the techniques and/or functions describedare not limited by the particular order, selection, or decomposition ofaspects described with reference to any particular routine, module,component, or the like.

Example Processes

FIG. 5 illustrates flow diagram 500 for selectively assigning memoryavailable in a redundant host computing system, according to an exampleembodiment. In block 502, the redundant host system is provided. Forexample, redundant host system 106C is provided in cluster 102. In block504, if memory is available for duplicate base VMDK is determined. Forexample, memory management module 116 may determine size of base VMDK218 and determine if spare VM reservation 110C has sufficient memory toaccommodate a copy of base VMDK 218. If sufficient memory is notavailable for the copy of base VMDK 218 using a file format used tostore base VMDK 218, memory management module 116 may check to see ifmemory is available to accommodate the copy of base VMDK 218 in adifferent format. For example, the different format uses less space tostore copy of a base file than space used to store the base file in adata store. One example format may be a thin disk format. If still spacenot available for a copy of base VMDK 218, in block 506, a report isgenerated by memory management module 116 to inform management server104 that resources are not available for the duplicate base VMDK in theredundant host.

If sufficient memory is available for the copy of the base VMDK, inblock 508, the base VMDK is copied to redundant host memory, to create aduplicate base VMDK. For example, management server 104 may initiate theoperation to copy file base VMDK. In some embodiment, a file formatdifferent than file format used to store base VMDK 218 may be used tocreate duplicate base VMDK. Such a file format may result in a smallerfile size for duplicate base VMDK than file size of base VMDK.

In block 510, a link to duplicate base VMDK is set in all virtualmachines. This link to the duplicate base VMDK is set as a primary linkfor read operations by the virtual machines. Memory management module116 may set the link to the duplicate base VMDK in the virtual machines.

In block 512, a link to the base VMDK and the duplicate base VMDK is setin the virtual machines for write operations by the virtual machines.Memory management module 116 may set the link to the base VMDK and theduplicate base VMDK in the virtual machines for the write operations bythe virtual machines.

In block 514, management server 104 monitors cluster 102 for any triggerevent indicating a failed host. For example, management server 104periodically communicates with HA agent 118 running in each hostcomputing system 106A-106C to monitor status of host computing systems106A-106C. If a trigger event is sensed by management server 104indicating a potential failure or diminished operation of a host system,in block 516, management server 104 sets the link to the base VMDK asthe primary link in the virtual machines. For example, memory managementmodule 116 of management server 104 may set the link to the base VMDK asthe primary link in the virtual machines.

In block 518, the memory used for the duplicate base VMDK is reclaimed.For example, memory management module 116 may reclaim the memory usedfor the duplicate base VMDK so as to reconfigure spare VM reservation110C for use by redundant host system 106C.

In block 520, all virtual machines running on the failed host system istransferred to the redundant host system. For example, management server104 may communicate with redundant host system 106C to transfer thevirtual machines from the failed host system, by creating new virtualmachines using spare VM reservation 110C.

In block 522, whether the failed host is rectified and available forreuse is determined. For example, management server 104 determines iffailed host system is rectified and available for reuse. If the failedhost system is available for reuse, management server 104 determineswhich one of the hosts in cluster 102 should be used as the redundanthost. Based on this determination, management server 104 selects a hostand in block 502, the selected host is provided as the redundant hostsystem.

As one skilled in the art appreciates a failed host may not mean acompletely inoperable host computing system. In some examples, a triggerevent may be generated when one or more host computing system isimpaired or overloaded, for example, due to excessive use of resources.One possible remedial action may be to transfer some virtual machinesrunning on the impaired or overloaded host computing system to theredundant host.

Systems and methods as described in FIGS. 1-5 may provide one or more ofimproved I/O performance of virtual machines, redundancy for certainfiles accessed by the virtual machines and improved utilization ofavailable computing resources. For example, I/O performance of aduplicate base VMDK created using memory available in a redundant hostsystem can be better than I/O performance of a base VMDK created using adata store, for example, external disks because speed of physical memory(i.e., memory available in redundant host system) is significantlyfaster than storage available in the data store. As another example, byproviding links to both duplicate base VMDK and base VMDK, the virtualmachines have redundancy for accessing the base VMDK. As yet anotherexample, by utilizing spare VM reservation memory in the redundant hostsystem, a portion of memory and system that would otherwise be idle,awaiting the trigger event results in an improved utilization ofavailable resources.

Although certain terms are used primarily herein, other terms could beused interchangeably to yield equivalent embodiments and examples. Forexample, it is well-known that equivalent terms in the field of systemvirtualization or similar or related fields could be substituted forsuch terms as “physical computer,” “hypervisor,” “virtual machine,” orthe like. Specifically, the term “hypervisor” may be usedinterchangeably with “virtual machine monitor,” “virtual machinesupervisor,” “virtual machine manager,” or the like. In addition, termsmay have alternate spellings which may or may not be explicitlymentioned, and all such variations of terms are intended to be included.

Example Computing System Implementation

FIG. 6 is block diagram 600 of example physical computing system 602(such as management server 104 shown in FIGS. 1-2) including memorymanagement module (such as memory management module 116 shown in FIGS.1-2) according to an example embodiment. In particular, FIG. 6 showsphysical computing system 602 that may be utilized to implement memorymanagement module 116.

Note that one or more general purpose virtual or physical computersystems suitably instructed may be used to implement memory managementmodule 116. In addition, physical computing system 602 may comprise oneor more distinct computing systems/devices and may span distributedlocations. Furthermore, each block shown may represent one or more suchblocks as appropriate to a specific embodiment or may be combined withother blocks. Also, memory management module 116 may be implemented insoftware, hardware, firmware, or in some combination to achieve thecapabilities described herein.

In the embodiment shown, physical computing system 602 may comprisecomputer memory (“memory”) 604, one or more Central Processing Units(“CPU”) 606, input/output devices 608 (e.g., keyboard, mouse, etc.),other computer-readable media 610, and network connections 612. Memorymanagement module 116 is shown residing in memory 604. The components ofmemory management module 116 may execute on one or more CPUs 606 andimplement techniques described herein. Other code or programs 616 (e.g.,an administrative interface, a Web server, and the like) and potentiallyother data repositories, such as data store 614, may also reside inmemory 604, and execute on one or more CPUs 606. One or more of thecomponents in FIG. 6 may not be present in any specific implementation.For example, some embodiments may not provide other computer readablemedia 610. Further, some embodiments may provide a display in physicalcomputing system 602.

Memory management module 116 interact via a network with host computingsystems in the Cluster. The components of memory management module 116may record and/or communicate various types of information, includingactivity information (e.g., indications of importance, indications ofactivities occurring on virtual machines, indications of applicationactions/events and/or virtual machine/desktop states that may be used todetermine the occurrence of an activity), resource allocationinformation (e.g., indications of shares or reservations assigned toparticular virtual machines), and the like. Activity information writtento data store 614 may be persisted to other computer readable media 610or to a remote persistent memory storage location (not shown).

The embodiments described above may use either well-known or proprietarysynchronous or asynchronous client-server computing techniques. Also,the various components may be implemented using more monolithicprogramming techniques, for example, as an executable running on asingle CPU computer system, or alternatively decomposed using a varietyof structuring techniques known in the art, including but not limitedto, multiprogramming, multithreading, client-server, or peer-to-peer,running on one or more computer systems each having one or more CPUs.Some embodiments may execute concurrently and asynchronously, andcommunicate using message passing techniques. Equivalent synchronousembodiments are also supported. Also, other functions could beimplemented and/or performed by each component/module, and in differentorders, and by different components/modules, yet still achieve thedescribed functions.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, some or all of the components ofsystems described hereinmay be implemented or provided in other manners,such as at least partially in firmware and/or hardware, including, butnot limited to one or more application-specific integrated circuits(“ASICs”), standard integrated circuits, controllers executingappropriate instructions, and including microcontrollers and/or embeddedcontrollers, field-programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”), complexprogrammable logic devices (“CPLDs”), and the like. Some or all of thesystem components and/or data structures may also be stored as contents(e.g., as executable or other machine-readable software instructions orstructured data) on a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., asa hard disk; a memory; a computer network or cellular wireless networkor other data transmission medium; or a portable media article to beread by an appropriate drive or via an appropriate connection, such as aDVD or flash memory device) so as to enable or configure thecomputer-readable medium and/or one or more associated computing systemsor devices to execute or otherwise use or provide the contents toperform at least some of the described techniques.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration,various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit andscope of this disclosure. For example, the methods, techniques, andsystems for dynamic resource allocation are applicable to otherarchitectures or in other settings. Also, the methods, techniques, andsystems discussed herein are applicable to differing protocols,communication media (optical, wireless, cable, etc.) and devices (e.g.,desktop computers, wireless handsets, electronic organizers, personaldigital assistants, tablet computers, portable email machines, gamemachines, pagers, navigation devices, etc.).

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: providing a clusterof host systems, with at least one redundant host system, with each hostsystem providing a plurality of virtual machines with associated virtualmachine (VM) reservation memory; storing a base file in a portion of adata store, the base file accessed by the plurality of virtual machines;assigning a portion of the memory available in a redundant host systemfrom the at least one redundant host system as spare VM reservationmemory; and selectively storing a copy of the base file in the spare VMreservation memory for access by the plurality of virtual machines;wherein upon a trigger event requiring transfer of virtual machinesrunning on one of the host systems to the redundant host system,redirecting the access to the base file from the spare VM reservationmemory to the portion of the data store; and transferring virtualmachines running on one of the host systems to the redundant hostsystem, by utilizing the spare VM reservation memory.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the copy of the base file is accessed by the virtualmachines, for all read operations to the base file.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the copy of the base file and the base file areaccessed by the virtual machines, for all write operations to the basefile.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein each of the virtual machinesinclude a delta file, each of the delta files linked to the base file.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the copy of the base file is accessedby the virtual machines over a link configured to access the copy of thebase file faster than accessing the base file stored in the data store.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the copy of the base file is stored ina format different than a format used to store the base file in the datastore and wherein the different format uses less space to store the copyof the base file than the base file in the data store.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the copy of the base file is stored in a thin diskformat.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein assigning the portion of thememory and selectively storing the copy of the base file are performedin response to determining that the memory available in the redundanthost system is sufficient to store the copy of the base file.
 9. Asystem comprising: a cluster of host systems, with at least oneredundant host system, with each host system having a plurality ofvirtual machines with associated virtual machine (VM) reservationmemory; and a portion of a data store to store a base file, the basefile accessed by the plurality of virtual machines, wherein, a portionof memory available in the a redundant host system from the at least oneredundant host system is assigned as spare VM reservation memory; and acopy of the base file is selectively stored in the spare VM reservationmemory for access by the plurality of virtual machines, and wherein,upon a trigger event that requires transfer of virtual machines runningon one of the host systems to the redundant host system, access to thebase file is redirected from the spare VM reservation memory to theportion of the data store; and virtual machines running on one of thehost systems are transferred to the redundant host system, by utilizingthe spare VM reservation memory.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein thecopy of the base file is accessed by the virtual machines, for all readoperations to the base file.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein boththe copy of the base file and the base file are accessed by the virtualmachines, for all write operations to the base file.
 12. The system ofclaim 10, wherein each of the virtual machines includes a delta file,each of the delta files linked to the base file.
 13. The system of claim9, wherein the copy of the base file is accessed by the virtual machinesover a link configured to access the copy of the base file faster thanaccessing the base file stored in the data store.
 14. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the copy of the base file is stored in a formatdifferent than a format used to store the base file in the data storeand wherein the different format uses less space to store the copy ofthe base file than the base file in the data store.
 15. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the copy of the base file is stored in a thin diskformat.
 16. The system of claim 9, wherein the copy of the base file isselectively stored in response to determining that the memory availablein the redundant host system is sufficient to store the copy of the basefile.
 17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includinginstructions that are configured, when executed by a computing system,to perform: providing a cluster of host systems, with at least oneredundant host system, with each host system providing a plurality ofvirtual machines with associated virtual machine (VM) reservationmemory; storing a base file in a portion of a data store, the base fileaccessed by the plurality of virtual machines; assigning a portion ofthe memory available in a redundant host system from the at least oneredundant host system as spare VM reservation memory; and selectivelystoring a copy of the base file in the spare VM reservation memory foraccess by the plurality of virtual machines, wherein upon a triggerevent requiring transfer of the plurality of virtual machines running onone of the host systems to the redundant host system, redirecting theaccess to the base file from the spare VM reservation memory to theportion of the data store; and transferring the plurality of virtualmachines running on one of the host systems to the redundant hostsystem, by utilizing the spare VM reservation memory.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein thecopy of the base file is accessed by the virtual machines, for all readoperations to the base file.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 18, wherein the copy of the base file and thebase file are accessed by the virtual machines, for all write operationsto the base file.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 18, wherein each of the virtual machines includes adelta file, each of the delta files linked to the base file.
 21. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein thecopy of the base file is accessed by the virtual machines over a linkconfigured to access the copy of the base file faster than accessing thebase file stored in the data store.
 22. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the copy of thebase file is stored in a format different than the format used to storethe base file in the data store and wherein the different format usesless space to store the copy of the base file than the base file in thedata store.
 23. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 22, wherein the copy of the base file is stored in a thin diskformat.
 24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim17, wherein assigning the portion of the memory and selectively storingthe copy of the base file are performed in response to determining thatthe memory available in the redundant host system is sufficient to storethe copy of the base file.